News

Oakland: Man assaults two women and Amtrak employee near train station

By Kristin J. Bender

Oakland Tribune

Posted:
10/24/2013 03:30:48 PM PDT

Updated:
10/24/2013 08:07:00 PM PDT

OAKLAND -- A man who randomly walked up to two women and punched them in the face, punched a train conductor, then pulled a knife on a witness who tried to help, was arrested Thursday afternoon near the Amtrak station at Jack London Square, police said.

The 40-year-old man, who has addresses in both San Ramon and Fairfield, was arrested for battery, brandishing a weapon and possession of drugs -- possibly methamphetamine, police said. His name was not released.

At 12:30 p.m., the man walked up to the two women, who work in the area of 2nd and Alice streets, and punched one in the cheek, breaking her glasses. He also struck the other woman in the face; both suffered cuts and bruises, police said. Their names and ages were not released.

After assaulting the women, the man went to an Amtrak train, which was loading passengers, and attempted to board the train. When the conductor tried to prevent him from boarding, he punched the conductor several times, police said. The conductor was not seriously injured, police said. When a witness came to the conductor's aid, the suspect threatened him with a knife. He was not injured, police said.

The man took off on foot and ran parallel along the train tracks toward Jack London Square, where he was arrested at Webster Street and Embarcadero about 1 p.m., police said. An Amtrak spokeswoman was not immediately available.